Married couple from London charged with smuggling the stimulant khat into North America

A husband and wife from west London were
today charged with smuggling the stimulant khat to North America.

Osman Ali Said, 42, and Hinda Ali Dalmar, 37,
will appear in court on Monday accused of being part of a group who mislabelled
parcels of the drug destined for the US and Canada where it is illegal. The
mild stimulant is not banned in the UK and is used widely in the Horn of
Africa.

Seven other people were arrested in May
following a Scotland Yard inquiry into suspected fundraising for terrorism
overseas. They were later charged with criminal offences. An inquiry into
suspected overseas terrorism funding is continuing.